LOOKING BACK: Auburn @ Clemson

Hey everyone.

I’m working late/early tonight.

I wanted to start by comparing how this Auburn defense is performing relative to its previous nine incarnations. I figured a 10-year sample was enough to get a feel for what normal Auburn defense looks like.

Here are Auburn’s overall defensive numbers, as per-game averages, through three games:

2001: 60 plays, 236 yards, 17.3 ppg
2002: 68 plays, 312 yards, 10.0 ppg
2003: 61 plays, 262 yards, 15.7 ppg
2004: 63 plays, 273 yards, 7.7 ppg
2005: 63 plays, 246 yards, 8.7 ppg
2006: 60 plays, 249 yards, 5.7 ppg
2007: 71 plays, 283 yards, 19.3 ppg
2008: 67 plays, 214 yards, 5.0 ppg
2009: 70 plays, 350 yards, 22.3 ppg
2010: 78 plays, 340 yards, 21.3 ppg
2011: 91 plays, 534 yards, 36.7 ppg

I think I see some trends, but I’m not sure how to explain them. Auburn’s numbers since Gene Chizik’s arrival in 2009 haven’t been good. Even last season, which was a great one for the Tigers, didn’t feature particularly good defense.

What we’re seeing now is atrocious defense.

Here are the possible contributing factors as I see them:

• Youth. Auburn is relying on new starters at DT, LB, CB and SS.

• Ted Roof. His Auburn defenses haven’t been particularly good.

• Gene Chizik. He was a great DC before becoming a head coach. Can he help?

• Luck. It’s possible that Utah State, Mississippi State and Clemson are better than the usual early-season opponents.

Which is it? Pieces of all, I say.

• Auburn was good early. The Tigers forced a pair of three-and-outs to open the game, then held Clemson to a nothing third drive.

Gaps are plugged. Daren Bates (25) shucked a block, didn't overpursue and knocks this play dead. (Notice the hold on Jake Holland.)

Angelo Blackson (98) has knocked the guard backward three yards and ruined this off-tackle run. (Tailback is behind Blackson's guy.) Clemson lost 2 yards.

• Barrett Trotter can run a zone read play. Check this one out from the first half:

Major pressure coming from the outside. Clemson knows Trotter won't run.

Dyer (5) does a nice job selling it. The outside guys think they have a stop and the MLB has cheated to Dyer's side.

Trotter is away for a 7-yard gain. Im surprised he didn't get more, actually.

• Then the mistakes started coming. This was one of the first big ones — and it’s on Demetruce McNeal.

Clemson is running the sweep and McNeal (12) has a job: Keep it inside.

He's instead going for a negative-yardage stop, which forces him too deep. A barely-there diving block is enough to keep McNeal from pursuing.

The ballcarrier is off to the races for a long gain. Also note that Jake Holland (5) is taking a bad angle, but he was expecting McNeal to funnel that run inside.

• Other shots of note:

Three Tigers down; one struggling to maintain his balance. This is not good pass rush.

This is that weird formation that features three down lineman and Nosa Eguae as a de facto middle linebacker.

• Auburn has allowed opponents to convert 35 third downs in three games this season. The 2004 defense allowed 48 conversions for the entire season.

• Auburn has allowed 798 rushing yards in three games. The 2004 defense allowed 1,354 for the entire season. The current team already has conceded 59% of the 2004 team’s total — with games against LSU, Arkansas, Marcus Lattimore, Georgia and Alabama ahead.

• NOTE: I have to cut it off there. I’m beat. (1:52 a.m)

TALK ABOUT IT IN THE FORUMS